Injured Tottenham man ‘likely’ to return early in the New Year

Mousa Dembele has recently returned to Tottenham after a two-week spell at a Qatari specialist facility and will continue his rehabilitation at Hotspur Way, reports the Evening Standard. The 31-year-old suffered an ankle ligament injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers on November 3 and will ‘likely’ be back early in the New Year.

Dembele was a regular for Spurs before his injury, making 10 Premier League appearances, two Champions League appearances and one EFL Cup outing. The Belgian international was withdrawn after just seven minutes against Wolves and would go on to miss Tottenham’s meeting with PSV Eindhoven on November 6 and Crystal Palace on November 10.

In his stead, Mauricio Pochettino could turn to Victor Wanyama in the middle of the park, but a long-term replacement for Dembele will also be needed. The 31-year-old is out of contract next summer and isn’t close to putting pen to paper on an extension, meaning he could be released on a free transfer when the season comes to a close.

Dembele has gone on to make 249 appearances in all competitions since his 2012-move from Fulham, scoring and creating 22 goals. He’ll be hoping to return to first-team football upon his return from an ankle injury in 2019 to end his six-year stay at Tottenham on a high.